Phenomenological Reading of Hosea 12:4–5 and 11:1–2

A Phenomenological Reading of Hosea 12.4–5 and 11.1–2: Commune with Us explores two passages from the Hebrew Bible’s prophetic book containing puzzling plurals in the original language, pieces so enigmatic they are usually changed entirely in translation. Andrew Oberg, however, considers them delightfully confusing, and through in-depth examinations builds a “patchwork” version for each. These reconstructions are then brought to bear on four separate interpretative interactions per pairing, based on alternative pre-comprehensions that Oberg investigates using phenomenological methods to trace, describe, and wonder on the resulting responses. Finally, Oberg widens the focus of study and presents an approach to engaging with scripture, of whatever faith and lineage, that moulds the lessons taken into a technique that could be applied by any reader for a deeper “interrogation” of their literary heritage. Oberg finds that the treasures we have received from tradition still—yet, always—have volumes and volumes to speak.